The HEAL Network: Collective action for a climate-resilient and sustainable health system Listening to the voice for justice, sustainability, and a healthier future
PROFESSOR SOTIRIS VARDOULAKIS, Professor of Global Environmental Health and Director of the NHMRC HEAL (Healthy Environments And Lives) National Research Network
Witnessing recent events in Australia and the
a comprehensive National Climate Risk Assessment
world can be disheartening. The rejection of the
and a National Adaptation Plan covering all aspects
Indigenous voice to the Australian parliament, and
of the Australian society and economy, including
the reignited conflicts and humanitarian crises
the health system. These crucial policy initiatives
overseas makes hope hard to maintain for many
are currently under development with support
of us. The widespread wildfires and extreme
from the HEAL Network. The progress towards
temperatures recorded in the northern hemisphere,
establishing the long-overdue Australian Centre
supercharged by climate change, could be a
for Disease Control is also encouraging.
precursor of more intense and prolonged heatwaves
The HEAL Network has provided input into the
and bushfires occurring in Australia in the
public consultations and is advising the Department
coming months.
of Health and Aged Care, and the Department of
However, there are also reasons to be optimistic. The Australian government have listened to the call
Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water in delivering these key policy initiatives. >
for a National Health and Climate Strategy, and for
The Health Advocate • NOVEMBER 2023
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